https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-379-Lanchi-and-Hubert-s-Different-Paths-Converge/12584544/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-381-Hubert-and-Sigrid-s-Encounter/12584554/
Chapter 380: Lanchi's Story
Chapter 380: Lanchi's Story
In the darkness of the night, raindrops tapped gently on the car windows, their soft patter intertwining with the conversation of the three occupants.
The atmosphere within the enclosed space was peaceful and tranquil, a stark contrast to the rain and fading hustle and bustle outside.
"You... surely you're not the principal this time, are you?"
Hope Li An nervously clenched her palms, awaiting Lanchi's response.
According to the Ice Snow Witch, the Proteros Royal Magic Academy was a place of intense competition, directly under the administration of the Education Bureau. It was a school where Grand Sage Isis could exert some influence, but its rules were entirely governed by the ancient magic array that had been set up when the school was founded a hundred years ago.
Even the powerful nobles of the Proteros Empire could not manipulate this school for their personal gain. They could only rely on the rules that gave preferential treatment to their children, so there was no position of principal, fundamentally blocking any chance for Lanchi to exert his usual authority.
Logically, Lanchi's current status was not that of a noble, and he didn't even have a school profile. Starting as a teacher at the academy would be a challenging beginning, and his political identity might not hold much sway over the students.
Rumor had it that the student at the top of the academy was the young lady of the Duke Berenhald, the most powerful family in the imperial capital, setting a standard that seemed unattainable.
"..."
Lanchi turned and smiled at Hope Lian, spreading his hands wide, his unspoken words conveying a warm welcome to her in Helrom, where he had already paved the way.
"Although not officially the principal, everyone calls me that."
There was little Lanchi could do about this situation.
He could only attribute it to the fervent insistence of the faculty, and technically, he had been pushed into this position during that harsh winter.
With great power comes great responsibility, and Lanchi never shied away from the duties that came his way.
""
Hope Li'an stared at Lanchi, her eyes wide, at a loss for words.
Beside her, Mischa also froze, glancing between her sister's expression and Lanchi's face.
She couldn't understand why her sister would react this way to such wonderful news.
"First, tell me how you became principal."
Hope Li'an took a particularly calm breath and exhaled before speaking to Lanchi, her heart seemingly frozen.
"It started with Viscount Francis inviting me to be a private tutor, and then I followed Miss Zestila from the coastal city of Lylom to the imperial capital, Helrom..."
And so, Lanchi recounted the story of his arrival in the imperial capital, Helrom.
He spoke of how he had met Associate Professor Cid and, at his invitation, become an assistant professor. He then described the opening of the monthly assessment, where he was targeted with a bounty of 130,000 academic credits, and how he ultimately climbed to the pinnacle with the support and admiration of the students, proposing the Maccassi Reform aimed at the Proteros Royal Magic Academy and receiving a unanimous approval rating and praise from the entire school.
Mischa listened, amazed, clapping her hands in astonishment. The story sounded like an exaggeration, but considering Lanchi's track record, it might even be toned down.
Lanchi then looked at Hope expectantly, awaiting her reaction.
It was as if he were asking her—am I satisfied with the academy I've built for you?
Recalling their initial challenge at the Inferno Corridor Academy, Lanchi finally fulfilled the lingering regret they had felt at the time.
Those twelve hours had been too short. Just as Lanchi had gained control over lightning, he hadn't had the chance to properly guide Hope Ryan through the Inferno Corridor Academy before the shadow world faded away.
A tear slid down Hope Lian's cheek.
But they were not tears of emotion.
They were tears of one who dared not move.
She felt the gaze of the Goddess upon them.
Upon hearing the bounty formula and Lanchi's final bounty amount, Hope had calculated the number of students whose ambitions had been crushed to forge Lanchi's position. She realized that all the merit she had accumulated in Aethereia was now gone.
"When I was little, my father, Duke Migaya, always told me that if I didn't do good deeds and cultivate virtue, my luck would turn sour," Hiberlian murmured, recalling her childhood. Having always felt that her luck was lacking, she was especially fearful of doing anything that might deplete her karmic fortune.
Now, however, Hiberlian realized that no matter how many good deeds she did, she couldn't keep up with the rate at which Lanchi was squandering his fortune.
"..." Hiberlian's eyes welled up with tears as she felt a bit numb. After learning about Lanchi's achievements in politics and now hearing that he was also a principal, she felt like the sky was falling, unlike when she had first seen the interview in the square.
But Hiberlian's heart continued to beat—
This guy's story seemed to be only a third told.
He hadn't mentioned at all how he had entered the political arena of the Proteros Empire.
This made Hiberlian hesitant to listen to any more of Lanchi's stories.
Fortunately, it seemed that Lanchi had shifted his goals due to the changing times and hadn't stubbornly joined the Extinction Branch as he had initially planned, choosing instead to forge his own path through the chaotic situation.
The Extinction Bishop was not someone to be trifled with!
Even a single Extinction Saint or high priest of the Extinction Branch was enough to terrify both Hiberlian and Mischa, and she dared not imagine how terrifyingly insane, evil, and powerful the Extinction Bishop, who stood at the pinnacle of the northern continent, must be.
Moreover, as a priestess of the Goddess of Fate, she was utterly incompatible with the Resurrection Church, and she would never tolerate Lanchi having any association with those heretics. If she discovered that he was acting on his own, she would risk her life to take him away from the northern continent.
"My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror, and all that I do is just," Lanchi said sternly, looking directly at Hiberlian. "Rest assured, I guarantee that everything I do in the Proteros Empire is aboveboard and righteous."
"..."
Hiberlian truly believed in Lanchi's integrity and uprightness.
But the more virtuous he seemed, the more afraid she became!
Although their journey had been smoother than Ice Snow Witch's predictions—from Milford Territory to Box Mountain Province, and even in the imperial capital of Helrom and the Proteros Royal Magic Academy, where they had encountered "baby mode" instead of the expected "hell mode"—Hiberlian couldn't shake the feeling that she had been exceptionally lucky.
However, this streak of good fortune at the Proteros Royal Magic Academy had come at a predetermined cost.
Hiberlian tried to reassure herself, telling herself not to think too much and to focus on the present. The only difficulty that remained was the imminent prison break plan, which would be the most challenging task yet.
As long as she could rescue that close friend of Aunt Talia's, her mission would be accomplished, and she would gain immense merit, surely enough to make up for Lanchi's deficit. Only then would the Goddess bestow her blessings upon him.
He who walks by the river often must have good luck to safely pass through this life.
"You're so cool, brother-in-law! My father will definitely support you, and the Milford family and our allies in the Northwest Province will back you in the Upper House!" Mischa exclaimed, giving him a thumbs-up.
"We're not that kind of relationship," Lanchi and Hiberlian said simultaneously.
Mischa simply nodded, her stiff face breaking into a slight smile, making her seem like a bystander enjoying the show.
"..."
In the slightly awkward and silent car, Hiberlian didn't have time to think too much. She put her imminent mission first, though she wasn't sure how to ask Lanchi for help in infiltrating Helrom Prison.
Using his authority would seem a bit underhanded, and he was not the type to abuse his power for personal gain.
She decided to wait and see if she could... ask him for a small favor.
(End of Chapter)
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